Abby Carbaugh, Ph.D.

Abby Carbaugh, Ph.D.

Research Administrator

Abby Carbaugh, Ph.D., was appointed research administrator in July 2016. Her primary responsibility is to deliver objective, accurate and reliable data and research findings to agency leaders. She directs a team of five staff members who help ensure that the data and research findings are of the highest quality.

When asked about her work, Carbaugh responded, “The findings we produce allow for data-driven decisions that further the department’s mission to keep people safe.”

Dr. Carbaugh began as a research intern with NDCS in 2012, and used departmental data for her dissertation, which examined the effectiveness of parole supervision in preventing returns to prison. She was hired as the research manager in October 2013 before being promoted to research administrator.

Dr. Carbaugh graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2008 with her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and minors in psychology and sociology. She subsequently earned her Master of Forensic Science degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.